Paper picker



J. P. RIVERS Dec. 16, 1941.

PAPER PIC KER Filed May 15, 1940 ZH. HANUUNG- HANU ANU HSIS'LLWE .Z-.'.PLE.E1ENTS.

Patented Dec. 16, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

This invention relates to pickers for use in picking up paper, rags and other trash on school grounds, parks, lawns and other places.

The general object of the invention is to provide a picker of the character stated in which a nail, such as a 16 penny nail, may be used as a pick, and replaced, when worn or broken, by another nail, whereby the picker may be used indefinitely.

Another object is to provide a picker of the character stated which is very simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to repair and economical in operation and upkeep.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawing, which forms a part of this specification and in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of the pick holder of my invention.

Fig. 3 is a perspective of the thrust disk for the pick of my invention.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of my picker.

Fig. 5 is an elevation partly in section of a modification of my invention.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, in which corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters in all of the figures, my invention includes a pick holder l; a stick 2, on the lower end of which said holder is secured by a bolt 3 and butterfly nut l; a pick 5, which may be a 16 penny common nail; a pick thrust disk 6 placed within said pickholder l against the lower end of the stick 2; and a spring washer 1 surrounding the pick 5 between the base 8 of the pick holder I and the head 9 of the pick 5 for holding said pick head against the pick thrust disk 6.

The pick holder I comprises the base 0, a pair of long arms l upstanding from the edge of said base, diametrically opposite each other, and a pair of short arms ll upstanding from the edge of said base 8, diametrically opposite each other, between said long arms. The base 8 is provided with a central opening l2 through which the pick extends downwardly. The pick holder l is placed over the lower end of the stick 2 with its arms In and ii engaging the side of the stick and its base 8 a short distance below the lower end of the stick, so that the spring washer I holds the pick head 9 against the pick thrust disk 8 and said disk against the lower end of the stick 2. In the upper end portions of the arms ii are openings l3 which register with an opening l4 extending diametrically through the stick 2, through which openings extend the bolt 3 with the head ill of the bolt engaging one arm l0, and the nut 4, threaded on the end of the bolt, engaging the other arm l0, whereby the pick holder l is detachably secured on the lower end of the stick 2, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

The operation of my invention is as follows:

The stick 2 of my picker, being held by the hand of the user, with the pick directed downwardly at a piece of paper on the ground, my picker is thrust downwardly until the pick 5 is stuck securely into the paper, whereupon the stick is swung upwardly by the user and the paper is removed from the pick and deposited into a trash receptacle.

The stick 2 being of proper length, approximately three feet, the user of my picker does not have to stoop over, but may stand up straight while thrusting the pick 5 into a piece of paper on the ground to pick up the paper from the ground.

When the point of the pick 5 becomes dull, or otherwise requires replacement, the nut l is first unthreaded and removed from the bolt 3 and the bolt is withdrawn from the stick 2 and the arms of the pick holder l; the stick being inverted, the pick holder l is then slipped off the lower end of the stick; the pick 5 is then withdrawn through the opening l2 and spring washer I and is removed from the base 8 of the pick holder; another pick, such as a 16 penny common nail 5, is then inserted through the washer I and the opening l2 in the pick holder base 8 until the head 9 of the pick engages the said washer; the pick holder l is then slipped over the lower end of the stick 2 until the head 9 of the pick 5 engages the thrust disk 6 on said end of the stick; the bolt 3 is then inserted through the opening l3 in one arm III of the pick holder l and through the opening ii in the stick 2, and through the opening IS in the other arm I ll of the pick holder; and the nut 4 is then threaded on the end of the bolt 3 and tightened against said other arm I.

My picker may be manufactured very cheaply, and since the pick 5, which may be a common 16 penny nail, is the only part that wears out, and may be readily replaced, my picker may be operated at a minimum cost and will last indefinitely.

In the modification of my invention shown in Fig. 5 of the drawing the base II is thickened and is semi-spherical in shape, with its flat face l9 uppermost and its semi-spherical surface 20 extending below said flat face and forming the lower side of the base. Said base i8 is provided withia central bore 2i in which is secured a bushing 22 through which the pick 5 extends. The thickness of the base i8 provides a more substantial and firm mounting for the pick 5.

I do not limit my invention to the exact de-- tails of construction herein disclosed as various changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A picker as disclosed including a stick, a pick holder formed with a base provided with an opening and formed with a pair of arms upstanding from said base and fitted over the lower end portion of said stick, a pick extending downwardly through said opening, a head on the upper end of said pick, and means for detachably securing said arms of said pick holder on said stick with the head of said pick adjacent the lower end of said stick.

2. A picker as disclosed including a stick, a pick holder formed with a base provided with an opening, a pick extending downwardly through said opening, a head on the upper end of said pick, a thrust disk at the lower end of said stick, and means for detachably securing said pick holder on the lower end of said stick with the head 01 said pick against said thrust disk.

3. A picker as disclosed including a stick, a pick holder formed with a base and arms upstanding from said base, and said base being provided with a pick opening, and a pair of arms being provided with bolt openings, respectively, a pick extending downwardly through said pick opening, a head on the upper end of said pick, a bolt extending through said bolt openings in said arms and through an opening extending through said stick, and a nut on said bolt, whereby said pick holder is detachably secured on said stick with the head of said pick adjacent the lower end of said stick.

4. A picker as claimed in claim 3 including a thrust disk interposed between the lower end of the stick and the head 01' said pick.

5. A picker as claimed in claim 3 including a spring washer surrounding said pick between the base of the pick holder and the head or said pick.

JOHN P. RIVERS. 

